4-star QB from Hawaii commits to Alabama

Considered a national top-60 prospect and the nation’s No. 2 dual-threat quarterback by 247Sports, Tagovailoa (6 feet 1, 210 pounds) chose Alabama over Texas A&M, Ole Miss, USC, UCLA and Hawaii. The Crimson Tide was seen as the favorite ahead of the scheduled announcement.

“I’d also like to thank coach Nick Saban for giving me the opportunity to have a scholarship to The University of Alabama,” Tagovailoa said after making the commitment during a live TV broadcast of the 6 p.m. news in Honolulu. “The hospitality is kind of like Hawaii. I feel like I’m home over there. Everybody on Sunday goes to church, and that’s something big in my life as far as spirituality.”

Tagovailoa’s commitment comes two months after the school offered him in the aftermath of four-star pro-style quarterback Jake Fromm’s flip to Georgia. At one time, Tagovailoa – who attends Saint Louis School, the prep alma mater of Marcus Mariota – had USC as his leader.

“For me to come from Hawaii going to Alabama, it says a lot about coach Nick Saban’s recruiting, coming this far (to recruit me),” Tagovailoa said, with the Crimson Tide fight song, “Yea, Alabama,” playing in the background. “And I know he’s serious because he wouldn’t come 4,000 miles across the mainland to just offer somebody like me.”

Last season, Tagovailoa threw for 2,932 yards and 24 touchdowns, and completed 63 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 481 yards and 11 scores.

Tagovailoa is the Crimson Tide’s ninth commitment for the 2017 class, and the only quarterback.